Bideford virtually safe but Barum under pressure

Two goals from Scott Robinson bagged Bideford AFC a vital 2-1 victory over Didcot Town at a sunny Sports Ground, moving the Robins nine points clear of the Southern League relegation zone.

After a slow start to the game, Robinson pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to fire Bideford in front, but they were soon pegged back by a dubious Didcot equaliser, with home calls for an offside flag ignored by the officials.

The Robins responded with a sweet strike from Jordan Ewing hitting the post and the Farren Simmons rebound was scrambled clear off the line by a Didcot defence creaking under the pressure.

The visitors regathered their composure after the break and only a superb clearance from Louie Slough prevented them from grabbing the lead, but Bideford had one more twist to the drama, Finn Roberts fizzing over a terrific cross for Robinson to head home the winner.

Bideford travel to bottom club Cinderford Town this weekend and things are also looking safer for fellow Devon clubs Tavistock and Willand, who have both opened up a gap on the bottom four. Willand won 2-0 at Cinderford on Saturday, while Tavi drew 2-2 at Westbury.

There was a massive victory for Tiverton Town in the Southern Premier, goals from Daniel Koita and player-manager Asa Hall securing a 2-1 success at home to Bracknell Town. While Tivvy remain in the relegation zone, it is only on goal difference, and they are within a point of the three teams above them.

Barnstaple Town face a tense end to the Western League season, as their play-off aspirations suffered a blow after an enthralling 4-3 defeat at home to Street.

The visitors struck the first blow but were then reduced to ten men after a dreadful challenge, and Barum grabbed the equaliser with some neat footwork from Stuart Bowker. A neat finish by Lee Gardiner gave the home side a welcome lead and it looked to be job done when Bowker slotted his second from the penalty spot.

Unfortunately, nobody told ten-man Street, who were given a massive boost when the numbers were evened up by a red card for Gardiner. The visitors reduced the arrears after the break and were only denied a leveller by a top penalty save from Jim Weeks.

Sadly for Barum, the reprieve would not last, as Street equalised for 3-3 and then found the impetus to snatch a late winner. A game that had everything and Barnstaple must lick their wounds before a trip to bottom club Welton Rovers. The play-offs are still in Barum’s hands but the chasing pack is circling.

A disappointing first-half display ultimately proved pivotal for Ilfracombe Town, as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to title-chasing Clevedon. The Bluebirds have a huge game at Oldland Abbotonians this weekend and a win is badly needed if they are to climb out of the bottom two.

It was a fine weekend for North Devon clubs in the South West Peninsula League, as both Torrington and Torridgeside recorded impressive wins.

Welcoming bottom club Axminster Town, the Super Greens were ruthless in the first period, racing into a 3-0 lead with goals from Brad Williams, who then repeated the trick, and then Ollie Stevens. Axminster pulled one back after the break but all three points for Torrington.

Torridgeside were away to Teignmouth in a fixture played at Cullompton, and the T-Siders soon found themselves 2-0 down. The recovery was packed with spirit, character and quality, as Tyler Evans-Loude (2), George Shapland and Shaun Copp scored the goals in a fine 4-2 victory. Torridgeside welcome Teignmouth for the reverse fixture this weekend.

Congratulations to Boca Seniors, who have been crowned Premier Division champions in the North Devon Football League. Sam Box scored a brace in the 2-0 win over Fremington and Boca will be playing in the Devon Football League next season.

And a final fabulous family story from North Devon football, with Braunton Club Secretary Ash Lowe getting to watch his teenage son Billy score on his senior debut for the third team in a win over Kingsley Wizards.